Season 2025 Review
NUTHALL BOWLS CLUB
Minutes of the annual general meeting held on Monday 13th October at The Temple Centre
Opening
The chairman, Brian Watson, welcomed everyone to the meeting
Remembrance of absent friends and tribute to Geoff Lillicrapp
Brian asked everyone to stand while he gave his personal recollections of our president, Geoff Lillicrapp who passed away on 23rd September. He had lost a long standing friend and likened Geoff to a giant in the Nottinghamshire bowls circuit having served on the Federation committee for over twenty years.
A moment’s silence was observed for Geoff and other absent friends
Members present and apologies for absence
The following 18 members were present at the meeting; B. Watson (chair), N.Dodd (secretary), S. Birkin (treasurer), G. Allen, P. Sidebottom, S. Judson, L. Birkin, G. DeMateo, G. Dickins, H. Liley, G. Upton, M. Lillicrapp, J. Leithead, P. Scott, K. Doyle, D. Doyle, W. Mills.
Apologies for absence were received from; S. Willaims, W. Williams, M. Watson, J. Bradley, R. Ellison, K. Broadley, J. Repetto and G. Lambert
Minutes of the 2024 AGM and matters arising (circulated prior to the meeting and attached)
These were accepted as a true record, there were no matters arising.
Review of the 2025 season (circulated prior to the meeting)
It was agreed that we had experienced another enjoyable season although we lost more matches than we won. Stuart thanked the secretary for successfully organising all 93 games we had played, recognising that we had to overcome the many difficulties encountered, mainly due to postponements caused by other clubs.
Green Team report (circulated prior to the meeting and attached)
The meeting thanked Pete and his team for the hard work they had put in to maintain the performance of the green to as higher standard as possible. This was largely achieved despite the extremely hot and dry Summer which, in the absence of an established sprinkler system, was a far from easy undertaking.
Treasurer’s report and financial statement (circulated prior to the meeting and attached)
Sue explained that we are in quite a healthy position and, thanks mainly to a grant of £1.200 from the parish council, we were able to go ahead with all necessary purchase. These included the acquisition of eight superior bowls collectors.
Sue was thanked for her meticulous organisation of the club’s finances.
Election of Officers
The following were elected unopposed to continue in their present roles
Chairman – B. Watson
Secretary and fixture secretary – N. Dodd
Treasurer – S. Birkin
The question of who should become the next president arose following the passing of Goeff Liliicrapp. It was agreed to leave the position open for the time being for discussion at a later date.
Election of Management Committee
In addition to the three officers the following were appointed to continue serving on the committee; W. Mills, G. Dickins, K. Broadley and P. Sidebottom (whose attempt at resignation from the committee was declined on the basis that we require the main coordinator of the Green Team to provide essential information as to the running of the green)
Leagues and Competitions for 2026
This item comprised the main topic of conversation for the meeting in that options had presented themselves for both afternoon and evening leagues.
Firstly, it was felt that the club could not sustain another season of fielding two 2 x 3 teams on the same afternoons. We committed ourselves to such last year but by the time April came around we found that some people were not renewing their club membership as expected, or were unwilling to regularly play in the teams. However, there remains a core of members who enjoy afternoon matches and, maybe, just one team of six would be insufficient to satisfy those interested -a team of nine would be an ideal number. As far as we are aware, the Federation have no plans to substitute the 2 x 3 for a 3 x 3 so the secretary explored other possible leagues we might be able to enter in the afternoons. The Heanor and District League would be a possibility but, on contacting the organiser, it transpires that their afternoon league may already be full and, in any case, we would not be given a decision as to whether we could enter until their AGM in November – too late to make alternative arrangements. The secretary then phoned the organizer of the Beeston and District League, which is a 3 x 3 played in the afternoon, and was informed immediately that we would be most welcome to join. This seems like an attractive proposition as, not only is it the 3 x 3 we were seeking, it also consists of a number of fresh clubs to us rather than the same old teams we play on an all too familiar basis.
As for the evening leagues, we had been invited to take part in a proposed Hucknall and District League set up specifically to obviate the need to travel to relatively distant venues at rush hour. This, on the face of it, sounded like an attractive alternative to the Ashfield League and does not involve driving to venues in the Mansfield area, and beyond at 5.30 on a Monday evening. Pete, on behalf of Nuthall BC, attended an inaugural meeting which was also attended by representatives of the eight other invited clubs, except one. However, the majority decisions of the meeting were not necessarily to our liking in that the format was to be 3 x 3 and the games are to be played under EBA rules. We would have much preferred an Australian pairs format and EBA rules prevent teams from changing positions during a match – something we like to do if games are not going well. In addition, the clubs taking part are, again, those that we play regularly anyway. So bearing all this in mind was there sufficient incentive to withdraw from the Ashfield League that provides our most skillful bowlers the challenges they relish as well as playing against different opponents to, again, the same old clubs on the circuit.
Thus, the management committee decided to put the following proposals to the meeting:
- That we withdraw from the Federation afternoon 2 x 3 league and enter the Beeston and District League.
- That we decline the invitation to take part in the proposed Hucknall and District League to remain in the Ashfield League despite the possible travelling difficulties.
The matter was then thrown open to the members for any comments or questions they may wish to raise. The main talking point concerned the ever present issue of travel to certain Ashfield away matches, and do we have enough bowlers regularly prepared to do this? It was felt that this would be achieved, mainly as evidenced by our ability to fulfill such fixtures over previous seasons. Several of our bowlers relish the prospect of pitting themselves against many of the best bowlers in the county and playing on the excellent greens experienced in division one of the Ashfield 4 x 2. This, together with playing against different clubs to those encountered in the Federation, outweighed the one disadvantage of the distances. In addition, to put it into perspective, on looking at the make up of that league next year, there are just five or six matches over the four month period that involve a more difficult journey.
On putting the two proposals to the members present, they were in agreement that we should proceed accordingly.
On a different note, Pete mentioned that some members are interested in playing in the EBA comps next year which would require the club to be affiliated. He assured us that such members would not be expecting the club to pay any of the necessary fees.
Christmas meal
The Bowman, between Bulwell and Hucknall, has been booked for our annual Christmas meal on Friday 5th December. On visiting there it was found to offer a far superior facilities to those at Millers Barn that we had used for the past four years. Menus were available at the meeting and members were asked to inform the secretary of their choices by the end of October.
Health and safety update
No new health and safety inspection has taken place recently but the issues identified previously are being addressed. Kevin Broadley is prepared to remain as our h & s representative.
The secretary mentioned that, during the Winter close season, we are required to flush the toilets and run the taps for at least two minutes every week to prevent the possible build up of any legionella. A chart is posted in the pavilion to record when such procedures have been carried out which will be submitted to the parish council in the Spring.
Any other business
The secretary reminded those who intend participating in the EBF comps next year to please submit their entries as soon as possible. The closing date is 31st October but the club’s entries are required in advance of that so they can be suitably collated and the required forms completed and dispatched.
The meeting closed at 21.07, the pre-season meeting will be held on 14th April 2026.
2025 Season Review
All too quickly another season in Nuthall Bowls Club’s illustrious history has gone by and we now have seven months of playing indoors (for most of us) until the 2026 season. Whilst we have all enjoyed our bowls over the past five months, and experienced lots of highs and lows, unfortunately, our league records show that we lost more than we won. The Federation league tables are available to view on their website but in a nutshell, this is how we fared:
Afternoon 2 x 3 league division one (Nuthall Green) – 5th out of 6
Afternoon 2 x 3 league division two (Nuthall Purple) - 2nd out of 5
Midweek 3 x 3 league division one – 8th out of 8 (Relegation looms!)
Midweek 4 x 2 league – 5th out of 9
Saturday 4 x 3 league – 5th out of 8
Ashfield 4 x 2 league - 7th out of 9
In the cup competitions we had the misfortune of being drawn against Rolls Royce in both the Glover and Portland Cups, and West Bridgford in the Steel so there was to be no repeat of last season’s achievement of reaching a final. We did, however, make the semi-final of the Ashfield 4 x 2 cup but then Langwith Junction turned up with all their big guns and left us falling short again.
In total we played an impressive 94 games in one format or another where just about everyone turned up at the right time and place. We may have had to make frantic phone calls a couple of times but, in the end, always fielded a full team.
A major objective of a bowls club though is to provide recreation, enjoyment, and, hopefully, develop a camaraderie for its members, and there is no doubt that we succeed with flying colours in all those aspects. Members can involve themselves with the club as much or as little as they like and I’m happy to say that we have a great variety of characters who all add to the club in their own ways. Many of us socialise away from bowls but remember, it was the game, and the club, that brought us together in the first place.
Several of our members took part in singles, pairs and trips comps and, as you may have gleaned from my Sunday reports, I had difficulty in keeping up with how they are all progressing to the extent I regularly received the odd moan from someone who didn’t get a mention. I can tell you though that Nuthall were victorious in two of the Federation comps when Kevin Broadley, Mark and Michael were victorious in The Elvin again, Mark has now won that eight times. In the all Nuthall mixed pairs final (Warren) Graham Allen and Hilary came out on top over former winners, Pete and Gill.
We again ran the club singles and pairs comps over the season and, thanks to Pet’s organization, it functioned smoothly. The finals day itself turned out to be a resounding success, credit to Pete again, with Graham Allen beating Kev Doyle in an absorbing repeat of last year’s final. The pairs was won by Kevin Broadley and Graham Lambert who overcame Gill and Stuart in the final.
Now we are back indoors where one just has to turn up and everything is laid on ready for play, it makes me realise just how much effort it is running an outdoor club, especially the never ending task of keeping the green and surrounding areas in tip top condition (thanks to Pete and the green team for that). However, whilst the indoor club is a brilliant facility to have during the Winter months, we wouldn’t be without the variations and totally different challenges that the Summer outdoors brings.
So here’s looking forward to the 2026 season but let’s keep in touch as much as we can during the long winter ahead.
Nigel Dodd,
Secretary
Green team report April 25 to September 25
Green team; Pete Sidebottom, Nigel Dodd, Graham Lambert, Garry Wigfield, Kevin Doyle, Gardeners; Sue & Lawrence Birkin
● Green Performance:- May - September 2025
The season overall has been fairly successful, we have had a few issues which we have tackled and learnt some valuable lessons. Our programme of repairs and general maintenance has gone very well, particularly at the start of the season, as the summary below reveals. We had a problem for the first few weeks with quite a lot of moss on the green. A few weeks and a couple of treatments got rid of it. Our green maintenance schedule included several treatments of fertilizer solution, however the long dry summer meant that we couldn’t apply it because of the risk of scorching the grass. We put some down in June, but It was August before we applied any more fertilizer. The long dry spell that we have experienced this season has forced us to find a solution to boost our irrigation system which has become a little outdated. We have invested in two hosepipes which send up a spray in a line that is as long as the green. The pipes need regular moving but they give us a much better coverage than the standpipe system. For a little over £100 we improved the green appearance and received many compliments about the appearance of the green. However we are researching even better ways of irrigation so watch this space.
One complaint that we regularly received was that some Bowls were stopped from going in the ditch by the board on the edge which sits proud of the grass. We have now built up the soil all round the edge so that the green will be level with the boards next season. Most of our opponents were complimentary about the performance of our green when they were leaving, there were a few exceptions, of course, those that lost heavily, might find fault, but generally the bowls ran very well. We did have a period when the dry weather and the heavy usage caused it to be a little more bumpy and uneven, so we did some adjustments on the mower. That improved its performance. We also discuss our greenkeeping issues with fellow groundsmen from other clubs. Two Guys from Rolls Royce came over one day and showed us how to adjust our mower, to further improve its performance. Thanks to John Townsend for that.
The projects started at the beginning of the season; are as follows.
● Bunkers:- As reported in my April summary, the bunkers have been improved and are much better for storage of bowls equipment on the left, and miscellaneous on the right.
● Equipment shed:- More space has meant better control of equipment. Most unused equipment has been moved to the bunkers.
● Chemical shed:- removed all chemicals that will not be used, made space to store some equipment, in particular the small Marquee is now in there.
● Outdoor benches:- position on spaces at the side of the tennis court.
● Marquee’s :- No Issues this season.
● Standpipe:- New tap in place and working, although there is a leak which will need attention next season.
● Pavilion:- no work was carried out on the pavilion. New noticeboard not in place yet.
● Gardens:- have been excellent all year, thanks to Sue and her helper.
● Rink markings:- We have kept good control of the rink markers and made some improvements, Afternoon games were played across from the Bunkers, Evening games and roll ups were generally played from the pavilion because of the sun in your eyes when playing across. Projects and Targets for next season.
GREEN MAINTENANCE We have completed the end of season tasks that are required to protect the green through the winter. I.e …. Scarifying, Vertidraining, seeding and top dressing. We intend to visit the green regularly throughout the winter to brush and roll it, also to check the performance of the new seed and reduce the moss if it appears again.
PROJECTS Repair and replacement of the ditch boards, in several places around the green. Erection of safety barrier in front of Pavilion Decoration of the Pavilion. Repair the leak on the new standpipe. Anything else that we can think of.
THANKS AGAIN TO MY EXCELLENT TEAM
Pete
Treasurers report 2025
We have had a good year.
Our income from membership payments and match fees is slightly less than last year, but from Saturday teas, is the same. We are grateful to Nuthall Parish Council for the grant of £1200.00 and also to Concept Financial Solutions for their continuing support. Other income is from the non profit sale of club shirts, members competition fee repayments and the Christmas dinner, which is fully funded by those attending. We also received £36.00 in prize money as runners up in the Steel competition in 2024.
Expenditure is more than last year.
Apart from the usual servicing and maintenance of machinery, we have had to replace some items. New items bought are a Strimmer, Drag brush, Soaker hose and Spreader, plus a replacement part for the visitors marquee. We have greatly Improved match days with the purchase of our superb new pushers, though we have had more use of them than we would have liked as results have sometimes not gone our way.
We have again used Vertidrain, bought grass seed and top soil for the end of season green maintenance.
Other expenses are Insurance, League fees, Room hire and the web site as shown on the balance sheet
I expect our between season expenses to be in the region of £1500.00
We finish this financial year with a bank balance of £4310.25.
Sue
Treasurer.